Elite 8-bit memories

Solid Snake · 13 January 2007, 17:23

Let me take you back to 1984. The home computer scene was beginning to take off and the BBC Micro was THE computer to die for. Along came ELITE from Acornsoft. It was unlike any game you had played at the time and became an instant classic with gamers everywhere. I remember playing for hours on end hoping to hit that elusive "ELITE" status with my next kill.
Occasionally your next hyperspace jump would take you to 'witch space' where you would encounter the deadly Thargoids. Trading in Alien items and firearms, dodging the Police and making a tidy profit between friendly systems was all in a good day's work for Commander Jameson in his trusty Cobra MkIII.

The Beeb's 6502 was amazing at moving vectors around the screen on a monochrome screen. O.K, to be fair the display panel had some colour. When the game was converted to the next big platform, the C64, it lost all it's magic. The C64 version was sluggish, despite cosmetic improvements and docking music. The C64 had a dedicated graphics chip, the VIC-II, which was superb at hzt/vert scrolling, but poor at vector graphics. This is exemplified by a number of vector games that followed Elite, with the exception of Paul Woakes amazing MERCENARY. WOW. This guy understood vectors on the C64 and I would have hired him to write Elite for the C64.

X-ray · 13 January 2007, 17:56

Elite rules. It gives me the fondest memories of any home computer game. Others that did the same (choosing only one per platform, or we get too many):

Demon Attack (Atari 2600)
Knightlore (Speccy) (a friend's machine)
Master of Magic (C64)
Wings (Amiga)
Command & Conquer (PC) (a friend's machine)
Extermination (Playstation)
Goldeneye (Nintendo) (a friend's machine)
Baldur's Gate (PS2)

If I count emulated games then I add Warcraft II played on Amiga under Shapeshifter.

These are all games that I will never forget.

Zetr0 · 13 January 2007, 18:12

I had this game on the C64.....

in '86 ( i was 12 in them days ).... i had more postits stuck here and there than they have at a factory that makes them,.... and sneaking to play the game when parents where in bed... scribbling down prices and even price forecasts....

while the numpties at school were learning basic cash crop enconmics... I was fully trading in galatic economics, playing polotical societies agasint eachother in dubious trades... and making a good living in my cobra mk3....

guys..... elite wasnt a game.... it was a way of life....

Angus · 13 January 2007, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid Snake

. O.K, to be fair the display panel had some colour. When the game was converted to the next big platform, the C64, it lost all it's magic. .

Rubbish! :-)

The first version of Elite I saw was the BBC one, and it was great. I used to play it at work in the lunch hour, whenever I could. I soon bought a C64 and when Elite finally came out, it knocked me out. True, the BBC version was smoother, and loaded in about 100th of the time, but despite the slightly flickery graphics, Elite on the C64 was very cool indeed. Obviously it had the extra missions, music and Tribbles as a bonus, but just the combat and the exploration and trading stood it in great stead. I think they also changed the point system for the better, and stopped the player from being able to sit outside a station and killing Viper after Viper. Yes, the best computer game ever - but no, the C64 version was brilliant.

My disapointment was reserved for the Amiga version which simply added filled vectors - and the Wolf Mk III. :-(

shillard · 13 January 2007, 23:31

Elite on the C-64 kicks arse.

I bought it the week it was released in Australia, after wetting my 11yo pants after reading the review in "Personal Computer Games".

Who cares if it took 15 minutes to load from tape?

Who cares if it slowed right down when you were taking on a Thargon mothership and its fighter compliment?

It still rocks. I was playing FRONTIER last night on the A4000 - now the Imperial Courier, THAT is a ship....

Charlie · 14 January 2007, 02:34

Relive those Elite memories:

Oolite - great version, very expanadable.

girv · 14 January 2007, 02:39

I played it for ages on the Amstrad CPC! I think that was a pretty good version as the CPC had a fast processor and a decent resolution for an 8-bitter. The game ran well even with a few enemies on the go and it had the secret missions and everything. Never found that Space Dredger though

Photon · 14 January 2007, 18:34

Bought it for C-64, but never got that plastic code lupe to work. Turns out it only works for some people. Sold it with my C-64 and bought an Amiga. The Amiga version did it for me, I definitely would have been disappointed with line vectors and almost unplayable action.

Spent loads of hours on it and tried different things after I became Elite, tried starting as an outlaw and see how many cops I could kill, etc. I also loaded the save game where I had it all and plenty of cash and traveled as far away from Diso as I could. But eventually you ran into a 'nasty area' of the map - when most of the systems around you are anarchic, so anywhere you go you get attacked...

Adropac2 · 14 January 2007, 18:55

C64 Elite was exceptional and remains so even now.I didn't go so much on the Amiga version to be honest but this and all versions of Elite were ported well enough.Nes Elite had a good interface that worked well for it and the Archimedes boasted maybe even the best version yet.As much as i do like Frontier and all that it managed to get right , it was a little bit fussy.Having a quick save as well only served in pulling players out of the experience which is a shame.

Mick_AKA · 14 January 2007, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by shillard

now the Imperial Courier, THAT is a ship....

Hell yea!

Zetr0 · 14 January 2007, 21:51

one of the best exploits of frontier is the combat eagle and mining machines trick...

1. get some monet and by a lion trader..

2. buy 10 (maximum) mining machines..

3. buy escape pod

4. save game.

5. take off and then hit the escape pod...

as part of the escape pod deal you get a combat eagle, if you look in your inventory, you still have 10 mining machines sell them back and you get a combat eagle that has 300+ tonnage units

I had mine fitted with a class 3 military drive (and a class 14 civy hd), loads of shield gens, and hull repairers... about 10 cabins...

my combat eagle could fly through any type of enemy and wont get damaged...

needless to say because of the TRUE maths used to calculate distence via mass... 9 times out of ten i could arrive at my destination before i left my last one LMAO.... ahh.... fun times...

Fred the Fop · 15 January 2007, 10:40

I never had Elite or Frontier memories until I discovered emulation. This game is almost totally unknown in the US.

P-J · 15 January 2007, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zetr0

1. get some monet and by a lion trader..

Elite : The Fine-Art Space Trading Game(TM)

MOS-6581 · 15 January 2007, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid Snake

The Beeb's 6502 was amazing at moving vectors around the screen on a monochrome screen. O.K, to be fair the display panel had some colour. When the game was converted to the next big platform, the C64, it lost all it's magic. The C64 version was sluggish, despite cosmetic improvements and docking music. The C64 had a dedicated graphics chip, the VIC-II, which was superb at hzt/vert scrolling, but poor at vector graphics.

Just to clarify, it isn't the fault of the VIC-II. The simple explanation is the C64's CPU was 1MHz (0.98 to be exact...) vs. 2MHz on the Beeb.

24 January 2007, 12:52

Oh yes, good old Elite, probably the main reason I didn't have my first girlfriend until I was 16, and even then she was a huge fan of the game as well.

Also, I remember Frontier being released like it t'were yesterday.

It was announced on that thing on ITV with Andy Crane that it would be released the following day after over a year of waiting and empty promises from Mr. Braben.

Oh the memories of waking early the next morning to have my Mum drive me down to the only decent game shop in Crewe to pick up the only copy the shop had.

Imagine my utter horror when a week later, it got a virus and I had to go a whole day without playing it, ah well.

Coagulus · 24 January 2007, 13:04

I'm surprised noone has mentioned the Acorn Archimedes version of Elite. It's incredible and my favourite version. I did spend a long time on the Speccy version initially but the Archie version blew me away! Runs very nice under emulation too!

[edit] whoops, didn't notice the title "8-bit memories" - anyhow, the spectrum version I enjoyed!

killergorilla · 24 January 2007, 13:09

I'm not sure which I find more amazing, the fact that Elite had so many galaxies and planets (was going to have more!) or the fact that you found a girl who likes Elite.

Either way, both are pretty incredible

24 January 2007, 14:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by killergorilla

I'm not sure which I find more amazing, the fact that Elite had so many galaxies and planets (was going to have more!) or the fact that you found a girl who likes Elite.

Either way, both are pretty incredible

You're not kidding.

She was also the first person I knew who had a A1200, but you're right, an Elite playing girl was, and is, quite rare.

Angus · 24 January 2007, 18:50

On the subject of Elite Frontier, do any of you remember Alive Mediasoft? They used to print a mgazine (well, a pamphlett really, and the issue I saw advertised included a CD with amongst other things a hacked verison of Frontier with extra missions, and I think a mission editor. Now, surprise, surprise, the issue concerned was never delivered, but I wondered if this Frontier patch actually existed, and if any of you had come across it?

OSH · 24 January 2007, 20:02

Elite? It's no game, it's a way of life

Yeah, I've played (and I play ) ELITE on my C-64. It was/is/will be a GREAT game. It was first, and IMHO one of the best games ever! I had a status "Deadly" but now I try to reach ELITE

13 January 2007, 17:23	#1
Solid Snake Wonderful World Of Amiga Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 359	Elite 8-bit memories Let me take you back to 1984. The home computer scene was beginning to take off and the BBC Micro was THE computer to die for. Along came ELITE from Acornsoft. It was unlike any game you had played at the time and became an instant classic with gamers everywhere. I remember playing for hours on end hoping to hit that elusive "ELITE" status with my next kill. Occasionally your next hyperspace jump would take you to 'witch space' where you would encounter the deadly Thargoids. Trading in Alien items and firearms, dodging the Police and making a tidy profit between friendly systems was all in a good day's work for Commander Jameson in his trusty Cobra MkIII. The Beeb's 6502 was amazing at moving vectors around the screen on a monochrome screen. O.K, to be fair the display panel had some colour. When the game was converted to the next big platform, the C64, it lost all it's magic. The C64 version was sluggish, despite cosmetic improvements and docking music. The C64 had a dedicated graphics chip, the VIC-II, which was superb at hzt/vert scrolling, but poor at vector graphics. This is exemplified by a number of vector games that followed Elite, with the exception of Paul Woakes amazing MERCENARY. WOW. This guy understood vectors on the C64 and I would have hired him to write Elite for the C64. Attached Thumbnails

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13 January 2007, 17:56	#2
X-ray Angry Kid Fan Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: London Posts: 230	Elite rules. It gives me the fondest memories of any home computer game. Others that did the same (choosing only one per platform, or we get too many): Demon Attack (Atari 2600) Knightlore (Speccy) (a friend's machine) Master of Magic (C64) Wings (Amiga) Command & Conquer (PC) (a friend's machine) Extermination (Playstation) Goldeneye (Nintendo) (a friend's machine) Baldur's Gate (PS2) If I count emulated games then I add Warcraft II played on Amiga under Shapeshifter. These are all games that I will never forget.

13 January 2007, 18:12	#3
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	I had this game on the C64..... in '86 ( i was 12 in them days ).... i had more postits stuck here and there than they have at a factory that makes them,.... and sneaking to play the game when parents where in bed... scribbling down prices and even price forecasts.... while the numpties at school were learning basic cash crop enconmics... I was fully trading in galatic economics, playing polotical societies agasint eachother in dubious trades... and making a good living in my cobra mk3.... guys..... elite wasnt a game.... it was a way of life....

13 January 2007, 23:31	#5
shillard Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Newcastle / Australia Posts: 143	Elite on the C-64 kicks arse. I bought it the week it was released in Australia, after wetting my 11yo pants after reading the review in "Personal Computer Games". Who cares if it took 15 minutes to load from tape? Who cares if it slowed right down when you were taking on a Thargon mothership and its fighter compliment? It still rocks. I was playing FRONTIER last night on the A4000 - now the Imperial Courier, THAT is a ship....

14 January 2007, 02:34	#6
Charlie . . Mouse . . Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 55 Posts: 1,792	Relive those Elite memories: Oolite - great version, very expanadable.

14 January 2007, 02:39	#7
girv Mostly Harmless Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,109	I played it for ages on the Amstrad CPC! I think that was a pretty good version as the CPC had a fast processor and a decent resolution for an 8-bitter. The game ran well even with a few enemies on the go and it had the secret missions and everything. Never found that Space Dredger though

14 January 2007, 18:34	#8
Photon Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Eksjö / Sweden Posts: 5,602	Bought it for C-64, but never got that plastic code lupe to work. Turns out it only works for some people. Sold it with my C-64 and bought an Amiga. The Amiga version did it for me, I definitely would have been disappointed with line vectors and almost unplayable action. Spent loads of hours on it and tried different things after I became Elite, tried starting as an outlaw and see how many cops I could kill, etc. I also loaded the save game where I had it all and plenty of cash and traveled as far away from Diso as I could. But eventually you ran into a 'nasty area' of the map - when most of the systems around you are anarchic, so anywhere you go you get attacked...

14 January 2007, 18:55	#9
Adropac2 Zone Friend Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Age: 51 Posts: 1,056	C64 Elite was exceptional and remains so even now.I didn't go so much on the Amiga version to be honest but this and all versions of Elite were ported well enough.Nes Elite had a good interface that worked well for it and the Archimedes boasted maybe even the best version yet.As much as i do like Frontier and all that it managed to get right , it was a little bit fussy.Having a quick save as well only served in pulling players out of the experience which is a shame.

14 January 2007, 21:51	#11
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	one of the best exploits of frontier is the combat eagle and mining machines trick... 1. get some monet and by a lion trader.. 2. buy 10 (maximum) mining machines.. 3. buy escape pod 4. save game. 5. take off and then hit the escape pod... as part of the escape pod deal you get a combat eagle, if you look in your inventory, you still have 10 mining machines sell them back and you get a combat eagle that has 300+ tonnage units I had mine fitted with a class 3 military drive (and a class 14 civy hd), loads of shield gens, and hull repairers... about 10 cabins... my combat eagle could fly through any type of enemy and wont get damaged... needless to say because of the TRUE maths used to calculate distence via mass... 9 times out of ten i could arrive at my destination before i left my last one LMAO.... ahh.... fun times...

15 January 2007, 10:40	#12
Fred the Fop flaming faggot Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Versailles Age: 55 Posts: 2,808	I never had Elite or Frontier memories until I discovered emulation. This game is almost totally unknown in the US.

24 January 2007, 12:52	#15
Stewie42 Posts: n/a	Oh yes, good old Elite, probably the main reason I didn't have my first girlfriend until I was 16, and even then she was a huge fan of the game as well. Also, I remember Frontier being released like it t'were yesterday. It was announced on that thing on ITV with Andy Crane that it would be released the following day after over a year of waiting and empty promises from Mr. Braben. Oh the memories of waking early the next morning to have my Mum drive me down to the only decent game shop in Crewe to pick up the only copy the shop had. Imagine my utter horror when a week later, it got a virus and I had to go a whole day without playing it, ah well.

24 January 2007, 13:04	#16
Coagulus Gets there in the end... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Wales Posts: 862	I'm surprised noone has mentioned the Acorn Archimedes version of Elite. It's incredible and my favourite version. I did spend a long time on the Speccy version initially but the Archie version blew me away! Runs very nice under emulation too! [edit] whoops, didn't notice the title "8-bit memories" - anyhow, the spectrum version I enjoyed!

24 January 2007, 13:09	#17
killergorilla Lesser Talent Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: UK Age: 42 Posts: 7,957	I'm not sure which I find more amazing, the fact that Elite had so many galaxies and planets (was going to have more!) or the fact that you found a girl who likes Elite. Either way, both are pretty incredible

24 January 2007, 18:50	#19
Angus Amiga Games Database Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South West England Posts: 1,240	On the subject of Elite Frontier, do any of you remember Alive Mediasoft? They used to print a mgazine (well, a pamphlett really, and the issue I saw advertised included a CD with amongst other things a hacked verison of Frontier with extra missions, and I think a mission editor. Now, surprise, surprise, the issue concerned was never delivered, but I wondered if this Frontier patch actually existed, and if any of you had come across it?

24 January 2007, 20:02	#20
OSH Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Poland Age: 43 Posts: 142	Elite? It's no game, it's a way of life Yeah, I've played (and I play ) ELITE on my C-64. It was/is/will be a GREAT game. It was first, and IMHO one of the best games ever! I had a status "Deadly" but now I try to reach ELITE

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